Combination padlock

ABSTRACT

A combination padlock of the multiple dial type is constructed so that manipulation of the essential shackle enables changing or setting the combination, thereby eliminating additional elements to accomplish this function.

United tates Patent 1 Feinberg et al.

COMBINATION PADLOCK Inventors: Irving Feinberg, Saddle Brook;

Henry Heine, Vernon, both of NJ,

Assignee: Presto Lock Company, Division of Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.,Clifton, NJ.

Filed: Sept. 13, 1971 Appl. No.: 179,753

US. Cl. ..70/25, 70/312, 70/318 Int. Cl ..E05b 37/02, BOSb 67/22 Fieldof Search ..70/25, 26, 312, 316, 318

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,643,752 9/1927Rosenhahn.... ..70/25 3,386,271 5/1968 Morin .,70/25 3,527,070 9/1970Sato ..70/312 X Primary ExaminerAlbert G. Craig, Jr. Attorney-Harry G.Shapiro [57] ABSTRACT A combination padlock of the multiple dial type isconstructed so that manipulation of the essential shackle enableschanging or setting the combination, thereby eliminating additionalelements to accomplish this function.

7 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTEUMAR 1 3197s sum 1 0F 5 QW QK Q. om

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HENRY HEVME A'f-ron ME.Y

COMBINATION PADLOCK The invention relates to combination padlocks, andis more particularly directed to improvements in combination padlocks ofthe type including means for setting or changing the combination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Combination padlocks of the type havingmeans for changing the combination are known. In U.S. Pat. No.3,386,271, June 4, 1968, a manually operable spring mounted slide memberis related to the shackle having sleeves mounted thereon so that bymanipulation of the slide member, the shackle may be released to move inan outward direction to disengage the sleeves from the dials, wherebythe combination may be changed.

The visible slide member of this prior art device invites tampering.Combination locks tempt persons to manipulate them before becomingfamiliar with the written instructions which accompany the product. As aresult, the combination may be lost, and the product has to be returnedto the manufacturer who expends considerable effort in opening thepadlock, if possible. Moreover, since the slide member must bemanipulated with the fingers, the degree to which this prior art devicemay be miniaturized is limited. Also, the direction of movement of theshackle to open the device and to set the combination is the same,thereby making it possible for the combination to be changed when it maybe desired to merely open the lock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A combination padlock made in accordance withthe invention comprises a body having an internal cavity and a pluralityof spaced slots in communication with the cavity. A dial provided withindicia or numbers is positioned in each slot. A shackle of the usualtype, or having a long portion and a short portion, is mounted on thebody so that the long portion extends into the internal cavity of thebody. As usual, the shackle is movable to first open position and asecond closed position. 1

One end of the body is provided with means to receive the end of theshackles short portion in the closed position of the shackle. A sleevefor each of the dials is mounted on the long portion of the shackle withthe sleeves in abutting, end to end relation. The sleeves are secured tothe shackle so that they cannot move linearly on the'shackle. However,the shackle is rotatable with respect to the body, and the sleeves mayrotate upon the long portion of the shackle. Each dial and itsrespective sleeve are provided with cooperable means to separably keythe dials and sleeves to one another. Blocking means is provided forcooperation with each sleeve to prevent movement of the shackle, or tomaintain the device in locked condition (off combination). The sleevesare provided with means which allows the blocking means to be by-passed(on combination), thereby allowing linear movement of the shackle fromopen to closed position and vice versa.

With the padlock on combination, the essential shackle is used to changethe combination; no additional parts are required to accomplish thisfunction. The device is constructed to allow the further inward movementof the shackle to a third or combination changing position; that is,movement further inward than to close the padlock. With the shackle inits first or open position, the shackle is rotated about the axis of theshackle's long portion to where the axis of the short portion is locatedoutside the perimeter of the body. With such orientation, the shackle ispressed inwardly so that the sleeves secured to the long portion areunkeyed from the dials. The cavity of the body within which the longportion and the sleeves thereon are positioned is of sufficient lengthto allow the shackle to be displaced inwardly a greater distance than tothe second or closed position. Due to the aforesaid orientation of theshackle, the end of the short portion may move alongside and below theadjoining end of the body. The dials may then be rotated to acombination of ones own choice, following which the sleeves are returnedinto keyed engagement with the dials.

An object of the invention is to provide a combination padlock whicheliminates obtrusive means for changing the combination.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination padlockhaving a minimal number of parts considering the fact that the lock alsopermits setting to a combination of ones own individual choice.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combination padlockincluding means for changing the combination, the padlock beingconstructed to permit substantial miniaturization.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a combinationpadlock wherein the shackle is utilized for the additional function ofsetting or changing the combination; and further, wherein the shackle isrelated to its associated parts so that the shackle is moved in aninward rather than an outward direction when changing the combination tothereby reduce the possibility of inadvertently changing the combinationwhen it is desired to simply open the lock.

These, and other objects and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of acombination padlock made in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the lock;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view takenapproximately in the planes of lines 3-3 of FIG. 2, this view showingthe shackle in closed position but with the mechanism on combinationwith the shackle in readiness to be moved to the outward or openposition;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, this view showing the shackledisplaced to open position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken approximately in the planes of lines 55of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, except that the mechanism is offcombination and the device is in locked condition;

FIG. 7 is a view showing the relationship of the parts when the shackleis moved to the position to change the combination;

FIG. 7A is an end view as seen from the left of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken approximately in theplanes oflines 88 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken approximately in theplane of 99 of FIG. 3;

FIG. is a view similar to FIG. 9, this view however, showing a dial andan associated sleeve in the off combination relationship of these twocomponents;

FIG. 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken approximately in theplane ofline 11- 11 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the inner side of one of the body or casinghalves;

FIG. 13 is a plan view ofthe other body half;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a dial;

FIG. 15 is an end view ofa sleeve; and

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the sleeve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, acombination padlock made in accordance with the invention essentiallycomprises a body A, a shackle B, a plurality of dials C, and a pluralityof sleeves D, one for each dial. To furnish controlled rotation of thedials, resilient dial cooperable means E is related to the dials.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the combination lockingmeans includes three dials, designated C1, C2 and C3, and the samenumber of associated sleeves, D1, D2 and D3. With three dials eachhaving l0 indicia or numbers on the circumference thereof, there are1,000 different possible combinations availablellt will be understoodthat any desired number of dials, and like number of sleeves, may beused to furnish the desired number of available combinations.combinations.

The body A comprises a pair of body members 20 and 22 suitably connectedto one another. For convenience of manufacture and to minimize thenumber of parts, it is preferred that the body members be made by diecasting. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, one body member is provided with apair of integral, spaced connecting studs 24 and the other body memberis made with a pair of spaced openings 26 through which the connectingstuds are extended, following which the ends 28 of the studs are headedover to securely connect the parts to one another (FIG. 8). With thebody members 20 and 22 connected to one another, their respectiveperipheral surfaces 30 and 32 are strongly pressed together. Whenconnected, the body members provide an internal, substantially annular,longitudinally extending cavity 34. The diameter of the cavity is largerthan the over-all diameter of a sleeve. The cavity is in communicationwith an opening 36 in one end 38 of the body A. A plurality oftransverse, longitudinally spaced slots 40 is in communication with thecavity 34. The slots each have a dial C positioned therein.

Preferably, and as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7A, the body A is in the formof a rectangular parallelepiped, the ends 38 and 42, the sides 44 and46, and the sides 48 and 49 being rectangular. It will be apparenthowever, that the body may have any desired outer configuration.

The shackle B has the usual J-shape, and comprises a long portion or leg50 and a short portion or leg 52 parallel thereto. The legs areconnected by a curved or bent portion 51. As shown in FIGS. 3-7, thelong portion 50 extends through the opening 36 with a small amount ofclearance and into the cavity 34. The body A is provided with a recess56 to receive the end 58 of the short portion 52 when the shackle is inclosed position. The base 60 of the recess serves as a stop to limit theextent that the shackle may be moved inwardly to the closed positionshown in FIG. 3.

The sleeves D are mounted on the long portion 50 of the shackle inabutting, end-to-end relation. The sleeves are each provided with acentral bore through which the long portion of the shackle extends witha slight amount of clearance. The sleeves are secured to the longportion of the shackle against linear movement. This may beaccomplished, as shown in FIGS. 3-7, by securing a washer 62 to the freeend of the long portion, as by heading over the end of the shackleagainst the washer, the opposite side of the washer being forced againsta shoulder formed on the part. At the other end of the assembledsleeves, a pair of oppositely extending lugs 64 may be upset from theshackle to abut the edge of the adjoining sleeve D1. The shackle may berotated with respect to the sleeves and the body. The sleeves arerotatable on the long portion of the shackle, and the sleeves movelinearly with the shackle as a unit.

As shown in FIG. 14, each dial C has a central opening extendingtherethrough, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves 66 onits inner diameter, there being one groove for each number or indicia onthe outer circumference of the dial. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, notches68 are spaced around the outer circumference of the dial betweenadjacent numbers or indicia. The notches on each dial cooperate with adetent 70 on a spring arm 72 which extends from the base portion 73 ofthe dial cooperable means E. The dial cooperable means is stamped andformed from a metal having spring properties, and the part is made witha number of arms equal to the number of dials. The part is held in placeby a holding member 74 which extends from the body member 20, the end ofthe projection pressing the base portion 73 against the adjoining wallof the opposite body member. This arrangement prevents the dials fromspinning freely; the rotation of the dials, and the sleeves, iscontrolled.

The dials C and the sleeves B are provided with cooperable means toseparably key them to one another. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, eachsleeve has a central bore 76 of a diameter slightly greater than thediameter of the shackle. The outer diameter of the sleeve is providedwith a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extendingteeth 78. The teeth extend longitudinally for a distance less than thelength of each sleeve, whereby a shank or base portion 80 of reduceddiameter is provided for a portion of the sleeves length. For a 10insignia or numbered dial, there are 10 grooves 66. Each sleeve however,is provided with nine teeth. One tooth is omitted to furnish by-passmeans 82. The by-pass means comprises a segment in the toothed portion,and has a diameter the same as the diameter of the shank 80.

The body A is provided with means cooperable with each sleeve to preventmovement of the shackle, or to maintain the device in locked condition.For this purpose, the body is provided or cast with a plurality oflongitudinally spaced blocking means in the form of projections 84a, 84band 84c. The blocking projections extend into the cavity 34 forselective cooperation with the teeth 78 and with the by-pass means 82.When, as

shown in FIG. 6, a blocking projection is in the path of a tooth on anyone of the three sleeves (off combination"), the device is looked; thatis, the shackle cannot be moved from its closed and locked position asshown in FIG. 6 to the open position as shown in FIG. 4.

When the sleeves are all oriented so that the by-pass portions 82 are inalignment with the blocking projections 84, the padlock is oncombination. As a result, the shackle may be moved from the closedposition of FIG. 3 to the open position of FIG. 4 and vice versa. In theopen position of the shackle, the by-pass portions 82 on each sleeve areastride the blocking projections 84 and the teeth are within the dialgrooves 66, as shown in FIG. 9. As a result, the dials cannot berotated. To limit the extent that the shackle may be moved in an outwarddirection to open position, the body A is provided with an annularshoulder 86 which is engaged by the teeth 78 of the adjoining sleeveDl,as shown in FIG. 4. As previously indicated, the shackle is limited inits inward movement to the closed position by the engagement of the end58 of the short portion with the base 60 of the recess 56. In themovement of the shackle from the closed to open position and vice versa,or from the position of FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 4 and vice versa,the teeth 78 on the sleeves are at all times within the grooves 66 ofthe dials.

To change or set the device to a combination of ones own choice, theshackle is moved from the open position of FIG. 4 to the third orcombination changing position as shown in FIG. 7. In this latterposition, the teeth 78 of the sleeves are disengaged from the grooves 66of the dials, whereby a sleeve-dial relationship may be changed to a newsetting.

To enable the shackle to be pushed inwardly to the position of FIG. 7,the shackle is rotated around the axis provided by the long portion 50to where the axis of the short portion 52 is located outside theperimeter of the adjoining end 38 of the body. Now, when manual pressureis applied to the shackle at the bent portion 51, the end 38 of the bodydoes not obstruct the movement of the shackle, and the end 58 of theshort portion 52 may move alongside and below the plane of the end 38 ofthe body.

In the case of a padlock having three dials, and therefore three sleevesas illustrated, an additional or fourth projection 88 is provided toextend from the body at that end of the cavity 34 which is adjacent tothe closed end wall 42. The projection 88 is in alignment with theprojections 84. Whereas the projections 84 function both to blockmovement of the shackle and to allow and guide movement of the shacklewhen the by-pass portions 82 are aligned therewith, the projection 88possesses only the latter function. As a result, and since the device ison combination when the device is to be set to a new combination, theby-pass portion 82 of the sleeve D3 moves astride the projection 88. Thelength of the shank portion 80 and the length of the toothed portion ofeach sleeve are such that upon the inward displacement of the sleeves,the sleeves D1 and D2 move onto the projections 84b and 84a,respectively (FIG. 7). Since the by-pass portions 82 are astride theprojections 84a, 84b and 88 with a close fit, the sleeves do not rotatewhile the combination is being changed. The dials however, are free torotate, thereby permitting a sleeve-dial relationship to be changed.

While not essential, it is preferred to provide resilient means to urgethe sleeves into keyed engagement with the dials. As shown, a leafspring F has one end thereof hooked about a support 90. By casting thebody members 20 and 22, portions of the support may be made as integralparts of each body member. The spring member may be bent at 92 where itengages an adjoining wall portion of the body. A bent portion 94 of thespring is biased against the end of the shackle thereby urging theshackle to the left as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 7. Biasing the shackleto the left causes the teeth 78 to be urged into the grooves 66 of thedials.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, and as illustrated, meansis provided to guide the shackle to its innermost position when changingor resetting the combination. Also means is provided for holding theshackle in its innermost position while the user turns the dials to aselected new combination. To accomplish these purposes and functions,the body is provided with a pair of guide notches I00 and 102 incommunication with the opening 36. As best shown in FIGS. 7A and 8, thenotches on the sides of the opening 36 are in alignment with the recess56 which receives the end of the short portion 52 of the shackle. Thelong portion 50 of the shackle is provided with a longitudinallyextending rib 104. In the movement of the shackle from the closedposition of FIG. 3 to the open position of FIG. 4 and vice versa, therib 104 rides in the notch 100. When the shackle is to be displacedinwardly to the combination changing position, the shackle is rotatedThen, pressure is applied to the bent portion 51 so that the shackle isin the position (x) shown by the dot-dash lines in FIGS. 7 and 7A. Therib 104 is guided by the notch 102 as the'shackle is pushed inwardlyagainst the force of the spring F. In this position of the shackle, theteeth of the sleeves are disengaged from the grooves in the dialsthereby enabling one to change the relationship of a dial and sleeve.

To releasably hold the shackle in combination changing position whilefreeing both hands to hold the padlock and to manipulate the dials, theshackle may be rotated to the position (y) as shown in FIGS. 7 and 7A.In this position, the rib 104, which is within the body A, is urged bythe spring F against the wall portion 106 of the body which adjoins theopening 36. After setting the combination, the reverse procedure isfollowed. The shackle is rotated about the axis provided by the longportion 50 to where the rib 104 is in alignment with the notch 102,whereupon the spring F displaces the shackle to its outermost position.At the same time, the sleeves are keyed to the dials, and now theshackle may be rotated to the position shown in FIG. 4 preliminary toclosing and locking the device.

It is believed that the advantages and improved results furnished by thecombination padlock of the invention will be apparent from the foregoingdescription of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Various changesand modifications may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as sought to be defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A combination padlock comprising a body having an internal cavity anda plurality of spaced slots in communication with the cavity, a dialpositioned in each slot, a shackle movable to a first open position, a

second closed position, and a third combination changing position, theshackle having a long portion and a short portion, the long portionextending into said internal cavity, means at one end of the body toreceive the end of the short portion in the closed position oftheshackle, a sleeve for each dial rotatably mounted on said long portionwith the sleeves in abutting, end to end relation, means securing thesleeves against linear movement on said long portion while allowing theshackle to be rotated with respect to the sleeves, cooperable meansprovided by each dial and its respective sleeve to separably key them toone another, spaced blocking means provided by the body cooperable witheach sleeve to prevent movement of the shackle, the sleeves having meansfor by-passing said blocking means to allow linear movement of theshackle and the sleeves therewith outwardly of the body to said firstposition; inwardly to said second position, and further inwardly to saidthird position, the rotation of the shackle about the axis of the longportion to where the axis of the short portion is located outside theperimeter of the body permitting the further inward movement to thethird position.

2. A combination padlock according to claim 1 wherein the means providedby each dial and its respective sleeve to separably key them to oneanother comprises a sleeve having a shank portion and a portion havingteeth, the dial having grooves on its internal diameter to receive theteeth, a tooth on a sleeve being cooperable with a blocking means toprevent movement of the shackle.

3. A combination padlock according to claim 2 wherein the means forby-passing said blocking means comprises a by-pass segment within theportion having teeth, the segment having a diameter substantially equalto the diameter of said shank portion.

4. A combination padlock according to claim 3 wherein the spacedblocking means comprises a plurality of projections cooperable with theteeth and the by-pass segments; and wherein an additional projectionprovided by the body is in alignment with the aforementioned projectionsand is cooperable with the bypass segment of the adjoining sleeve.

5. A combination padlock according to claim 1 including a spring membercooperable with the free end of the long portion of the shackle.

6. A combination padlock according to claim 1 wherein the body has anopening in communication with the cavity, a rib on the long portion ofthe shackle, and a pair of notches in communication with said opening toallow selective passage of the rib in the movement of the shackle fromthe first open position to the third combination changing position andvice versa, and from the first open position to the second closedposition and vice versa.

7. A combination padlock according to claim 1 wherein the means providedby each dial and its respective sleeve to separably key them to oneanother comprises a sleeve having a shank portion and a portion havingteeth, the dial having grooves on its internal diameter to receive theteeth, a tooth on a sleeve being cooperable with a blocking means toprevent movement of the shackle; wherein the means for by-passing saidblocking means comprises a by-pass segment within the portion havingteeth, the se ment havin a diameter substantially equal to the iameterof e shank portion; wherein the spaced blocking means comprises aplurality of projections cooperable with the teeth and the by-passsegments; wherein an additional projection provided by the body is inalignment with the aforementioned projections and is cooperable with theby-pass segment of the adjoining sleeve; wherein a spring member iscooperable with the free end of the long portion of the shackle; andwherein the body has an opening in communication with the cavity, a ribis provided on the long portion of the shackle, and a pair of notchesare in communication with said opening to allow selective passage of therib in the movement of the shackle from the first open position to thethird combination changing position and vice versa, and from the firstopen position to the second closed position and vice versa.

1. A combination padlock comprising a body having an internal cavity anda plurality of spaced slots in communication with the cavity, a dialpositioned in each slot, a shackle movable to a first open position, asecond closed position, and a third combination changing position, theshackle having a long portion and a short portion, the long portionextending into said internal cavity, means at one end of the body toreceive the end of the short portion in the closed position of theshackle, a sleeve for each dial rotatably mounted on said long portionwith the sleeves in abutting, end to end relation, means securing thesleeves against linear movement on said long portion while allowing theshackle to be rotated with respect to the sleeves, cooperable meansprovided by each dial and its respective sleeve to separably key them toone another, spaced blocking means provided by the body cooperable witheach sleeve to prevent movement of the shackle, the sleeves having meansfor by-passing said blocking means to allow linear movement of theshackle and the sleeves therewith outwardly of the body to said firstposition; inwardly to said second position, and further inwardly to saidthird position, the rotation of the shackle about the axis of the longportion to where the axis of the short portion is located outside theperimeter of the body permitting the further inward movement to thethird position.
 1. A combination padlock comprising a body having aninternal cavity and a plurality of spaced slots in communication withthe cavity, a dial positioned in each slot, a shackle movable to a firstopen position, a second closed position, and a third combinationchanging position, the shackle having a long portion and a shortportion, the long portion extending into said internal cavity, means atone end of the body to receive the end of the short portion in theclosed position of the shackle, a sleeve for each dial rotatably mountedon said long portion with the sleeves in abutting, end to end relation,means securing the sleeves against linear movement on said long portionwhile allowing the shackle to be rotated with respect to the sleeves,cooperable means provided by each dial and its respective sleeve toseparably key them to one another, spaced blocking means provided by thebody cooperable with each sleeve to prevent movement of the shackle, thesleeves having means for by-passing said blocking means to allow linearmovement of the shackle and the sleeves therewith outwardly of the bodyto said first position; inwardly to said second position, and furtherinwardly to said third position, the rotation of the shackle about theaxis of the long portion to where the axis of the short portion islocated outside the perimeter of the body permitting the further inwardmovement to the third position.
 2. A combination padlock according toclaim 1 wherein the means provided by each dial and its respectivesleeve to separably key them to one another comprises a sleeve having ashank portion and a portion having teeth, the dial having grooves on itsinternal diameter to receive the teeth, a tooth on a sleeve beingcooperable with a blocking means to prevent movement of the shackle. 3.A combination padlock according to claim 2 wherein the means forby-passing said blocking means comprises a by-pass segment within theportion having teeth, the segment having a diameter substantially equalto the diameter of said shank portion.
 4. A combination padlockaccording to claim 3 wherein the spaced blocking means comprises aplurality of projections cooperable with the teeth and the by-passsegments; and wherein an additional projection provided by the body isin alignment with the aforementioned projections and is cooperable withthe by-pass segment of the adjoining sleeve.
 5. A combination padlockaccording to claim 1 including a spring member cooperable with the freeend of the long portion of the shackle.
 6. A combination padlockaccording to claim 1 wherein the body has an opening in communicationwith the cavity, a rib on the long portion of the shackle, and a pair ofnotches in communication with said opening to allow selective passage ofthe rib in the movement of the shackle from the first open position tothe third combination changing position and vice versa, and from thefirst open position to the second closed position and vice versa.